OUR MISSION

The Y-noT Project is a non-profit organization honoring Tony Borcia and dedicated to stopping intoxicated boaters.

About The Y-noT Project:

The Y-noT Project organization was formed by Tony Borcia’s family and friends. It seeks to end intoxicated boating tragedies. The Y-noT Project is not an anti-drinking and boating campaign, but instead encourages safe, responsible boating.

Our Story:

Tony Borcia was 10 years old when he went tubing with his father and siblings on the Chain O’ Lakes on July 28, 2012. Tony was having the time of his life until he fell off the tube. Before his father could pick him up, he was hit by a large boat despite wearing a bright red lifejacket and waving his arms. The man who hit Tony has been convicted of operating his boat under the influence of cocaine and alcohol. The tragedy of Tony’s death may have been prevented if the driver had been stopped by the police when he was seen by witnesses hours earlier driving his boat erratically and recklessly. Unfortunately, patrols on the Chain O’ Lakes have been drastically reduced because of budget cuts.

Driving a boat is one of last places where it is still socially acceptable to drink and drive. It is so prevalent that many homeowners on the Chain O’ Lakes will not let their children in the water on the weekends. (We unfortunately did not know this until after Tony’s death.)

The Y-noT Project seeks to change this culture and make our lakes and rivers safe again. We believe this will actually increase the use of our lakes and rivers and consequently, increase the revenue to the businesses that surround the lakes and rivers.

NEWS

LHS Food Truck Finale

A HUGE thank you to the Libertyville High School Student Council and the Class of 2018! They raised $3,000 for the Y-noT Project with their first annual Food Truck Finale. And a special thank you to the vendors and donors who made it all possible: Cheesies, Pizzeria DeVille, La Cocinita, The Popcorn Jester, Beavers Donuts, Dance Academy of Libertyville, Chipotle, and Jamba Juice. Go Wildcats!

6th Annual Wiffle Ball Tournament

Wow, we did it again! With your support, we had yet another enormously successful Wiffle Ball Tournament -- almost 500 players and huge numbers of friends and family coming out to cheer on their favorite teams. Thanks to everyone who came out to play ball, volunteer, and support the Y-noT Project!

Here's the results for 2018:

Wiffle Ball Winners by Division:

Elementary - Risky Reels

Middle School - Dinger Swingers

High School - Sean Wittenbrink

College - Cosmo

Adults- Sunset Foods

Competitive - Team Rippies

Elementary Champs Risky Reels

Middle School Champs Dinger Swingers

High School Champs Sean Wittenbrink

College Champs Cosmo

Adult Champs Sunset Foods

Competitive Champs Team Rippies

Home Run Derby Champs by Division:

Elementary - Josh Ouimet

Middle School - Austin Gomez

High School - Cole Collins

College - Michael Schultz

Adults- Sam Borcia

Competitive - Jeff Barton

Top Fundraising Team by Division:

Elementary - Thunderstorms $2,875

Middle School - Bushleaguers $330

High School - KM Dinger Dynasty $1,124

College - Cosmo $2,355

Adults - One Hit Wonders $2,100

Competitive - Schick $350

Congratulations to all the winners!

And a huge THANK YOU to everyone who participated in and supported yet another successful event! We raised over $65,000, another truly incredible result!

Boating on Lake County-area Waterways Is Getting Safer, Officials Say

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police Sgt. Rich Riedel, left, and Officer Chris Winters, who is piloting the patrol boat, cruise along Grass Lake in 2015 in a boat donated in memory of Tony Borcia killed in 2012 by a impaired boater. (Chuck Berman / Lake County News-Sun)

Tony's Law

As a result of the Y-noT Project's advocacy and in honor of Tony, several new laws went into effect beginning in 2014 in Illinois designed to improve boating safety and enhance enforcement of existing laws:

Boaters must fly orange flags to warn other boaters that they are towing skiers or tubers

Law enforcement may seize the boat under certain egregious circumstances, including a third OUI conviction or if the boater, under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, was involved in an accident causing death or serious injury

Boaters born on or after January 1, 1991 must obtain Boating Safety Certificates before operating a boat with more than 10 hp, and boat renters who do not have such a certificate must complete a boating safety course

Boaters involved in accidents resulting in death or serious injury must submit to alcohol and drug testing